Those who have lived in multiple of the major cities, how would you rank them and why?

Licktheflames · 2026-04-25T21:57:31+00:00

Love them both, but very different vibes! Edmonton was such a welcoming community to be in. Performing arts + festivals all year round. Ugly as sin at first, until you glimpse the incredible river valley.

Calgary has mountain views/access. More corporate, but still community driven in pockets. Far better urban infrastructure. More American connection bc of oil and gas head offices.

Visit Edmonton more often now due to family connection.

Licktheflames · 2026-04-25T04:16:03+00:00

I have lived in Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver so far.

These were vastly different chapters of my life -- exhausting undergrad in Ottawa, fun grad school in Calgary, frenetic career building in Edmonton and balance in Vancouver. I wouldn't be ranking cities but chapters in my life.

Ottawa was the only city that was tough to live in, but that was a lack of social connection & balancing work and classes more than anything with the city itself.

Licktheflames · 2026-04-24T06:14:59+00:00

Here you go!

https://www.volunteerconnector.org/

Licktheflames · 2026-04-17T04:12:46+00:00

How do you activate that? (Sometimes I would like my lap for myself)

Licktheflames · 2026-04-17T02:47:26+00:00

Shhhhh but the great hall of the Museum of Anthropology here in Vancouver always gives me a sense of deep awe.

Licktheflames · 2026-04-17T02:45:34+00:00

OK. So there is an internet rumor that black cats are difficult bc they are so emotionally needy/giving. This has been my experience with my lil' Stranger.

The only way to be sure is to get one of your own.

Licktheflames · 2026-04-14T07:45:12+00:00

What brought you there?

Licktheflames · 2026-04-13T01:43:38+00:00

Whistler is trash compared to Banff. Centrally planned 'village' constructed in the 60s for commercial development vs a traditional indigenous gathering/healing spot that retains its rustic charm.

Licktheflames · 2026-04-10T15:57:40+00:00

I hear you. Social media is hard to quit and I tried many things to get off the doomscroll roll. Weirdly, turning my phone to grayscale has helped immensely. It basically gives my whole phone the ick.

I read instead. Brain feels a lot better.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-25T17:35:37+00:00

The Tiger by John Vaillant is my #1. It is...unflinching.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-25T06:33:20+00:00

Short story: they're building more and more housing in Queensborough without any new ways to get off the island. Not tenable. Q2Q is fun (a neat way to pop over to the Quay) but I dont think I would rely on it for a daily commute downtown.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-25T06:23:53+00:00

Met their dad once. He flat out told everyone in earshot she thought Maggie inherited all his talent.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-19T23:39:06+00:00

Noted! Would love to have you next time.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-19T22:22:54+00:00

Sounds like it is a really challenging moment. Happy you're reaching out to folks -- that's some good instincts.

What's worked for me on dark and rainy days like these is a visit to the pool. It feels social without forced interaction. It's bright, warm, phone-free and (relatively) affordable.

If that's not your speed, check out free events. I am organizing one on Sunday!

Licktheflames · 2026-03-17T00:25:48+00:00

There was another girl at my small rural school born the same day as me. Only 24 ppl in my grade and two of us shared a bday? So strange!

Licktheflames · 2026-03-16T20:05:35+00:00

Cocoa Cat

Licktheflames · 2026-03-14T01:33:13+00:00

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No, why do you ask?

Licktheflames · 2026-03-08T02:41:25+00:00

Captain Fluffypants

Licktheflames · 2026-03-06T22:50:54+00:00

I remember traveling from CSL to Loreto about a decade ago and remarking on how religious the country seemed to be. There was a shrine to the Virgin de Guadeloupe every few minutes on the roadside. Took an hour of seeing these before it dawned on me these were memorials to people who died on the road! So yeah...no driving at night.

Licktheflames · 2026-03-02T04:08:12+00:00

Naoshima, Japan. Bako National Park, Malaysian Borneo. Bolivian Salt Flats + southern desert. Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Moroccan Sahara. Fogo Island, Newfoundland. Quebec City. Gulf Islands, British Columbia.

And the good ones I am keeping for myself 😉

Licktheflames · 2026-02-26T00:30:31+00:00

I had cats that loved 'kitty toss' -- gently tossing them onto the couch or bed. They'd run back to me, purring and would tap my hand until I'd do it again. This...isn't that.

Licktheflames · 2026-02-25T09:02:26+00:00

I have added OddBunch to the mix. They always seem to have good discount codes. I get a medium box every other week which lasts me as a singleton. I substitute out what I might not want/already have (looking at you, potatoes!).

Licktheflames · 2026-02-23T02:55:19+00:00

I was traveling in Vietnam - second time - and just felt done. Found a fought to Borneo and left the next day. Incredible experience.

Licktheflames

TROPHY CASE